The real estate market is constantly changing, and several unique characteristics are leading the trends for 2024.
Pickleball’s popularity has exploded across the country, and Zillow reports that pickleball courts have become a hot commodity in home sales.
Zillow data shows that the keyword “pickle” has grown in popularity compared to the listing descriptions of nearly 300 home features from a year ago.
Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert in Seattle, says that because pickleball is such a social sport, the home court has become the latest and greatest fun feature.
Zillow reports that nationally, pickleball mentions are up 64% over last year. In New York, Zillow’s StreetEasy brand saw a 100% increase in for-sale listings highlighting a home’s proximity to public or private pickleball courts.
“Real estate agents are seeing homeowners turn their driveways into courts by using portable nets,” Pendleton said. “Some agents say players with ultra-luxurious homes are drawing new pickle lines on their sports fields or tennis courts.”
Pickleball, which can be played both indoors and outdoors, combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. It is played on a badminton-sized court using a paddle and a plastic ball. According to the USA Pickleball Association, the sport is “easy to start but hard to stop.”
Pickleball was born in Washington state, invented in the summer of 1965 on Bainbridge Island by three fathers whose kids were bored. In 2022, pickleball was named the official sport of Washington State. Celebrities who are pickle fanatics include LeBron James, Bill Gates and Marshawn Lynch.
NFL star (and Taylor Swift) Travis Kelce has reportedly purchased a 17,000-square-foot mansion in Kansas City that features a pickleball court in addition to a pool and miniature golf course.
MORE | The Pickleball Experience: The Official State Sport of Washington
Cold pools are hot
Zillow also reports that cold plunge pools are a hot trend for 2024. The share of listings on Zillow that include a cold plunge pool at home is up 130% over last year.
Immersion in cold water is a common practice among athletes and is believed to reduce inflammation and stop muscle soreness. More people took up the practice and New Year’s polar dives also exploded in popularity.
Pendleton says they typically see built-in cold plunge pools as a feature in luxury homes, but now there are a growing number of portable plunge pools on the market.
“From large add-on models to inflatable plunge pools, everyone can reap the benefits of a cold plunge pool at a variety of price points, making this wellness trend more accessible than ever,” she said.
Brutalism
This architectural style incorporates design elements such as raw concrete floors and patinated bronze light fixtures for a modern, functional aesthetic. Zillow saw a whopping 452% jump in the number of for-sale listings mentioning Brutalist design.
Sensory gardens or trails
Mentions of sensory gardens or trails jumped 314% in Zillow for sale listings. These gardens are designed to engage all five senses, with a combination of plants, textures, colors, scents, sounds and even edible elements.
Murano glass chandeliers
Zillow reports that these colorful and whimsical glass light fixtures, handcrafted on the Italian island of Murano, are now re-emerging as a designer favorite, with a 58% increase in for-sale listings featuring these intricate pieces.
Find more in-depth housing data and housing trends for 2024 from Zillow here.
Susan Wyatt is a freelance writer for Seattle Refined, specializing in pets, gardening and miscellaneous things in the PNW.
